The men’s soccer team improved to 8–3–1 on the season and 3–1–0 in the Empire 8 after beating Alfred University 4–1 on Saturday at Carp Wood Field.

The team wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, putting in its first goal just three minutes into the game. Junior Ryan Cole headed in his second goal of the season off a free kick from the foot of junior defender Matt Peckham. The assist was Peckham’s first of the season.

Sophomore John Tarson scored his second goal of the season off an assist from junior Matt Dubois in the 33rd minute of the first half to put the score at 2–0 at halftime. Junior Hugo Valencia put in his third goal of the season early in the second half to make it 3–0. Junior Kurt Odenbach beautifully placed a through-ball to senior Chris Holden who dumped it over to Valencia inside the box. Odenbach also assisted on freshman Chris Havis’ first goal of his career in the 53rd minute to close out the Bomber scoring.

Alfred managed to put in a goal in the 85th minute, but sophomore goalkeeper Andy Wilhelm did have four saves on the day.

The win separated the Bombers from Nazareth College and Alfred in their three-way tie of second place in the Empire 8, so the Blue and Gold now have sole possession of second behind Rochester Institute of Technology.